Abstract

The social impact of illicit drug consumption has been continually debated for nearly a century. Despite the fact that the health consequences of consumption are subject to medical testing, the contentious nature of the subject matter has meant that a clear consensus has been difficult to achieve. The impact of drugs on criminal behaviour is even more difficult to assess.

The extent and ways in which drugs fuel crime in South Africa remains controversial. This research article reviews past research and introduces new information on the drugs-crime nexus in this country, with an eye toward providing concrete recommendations for law enforcement. The drug markets of South Africa are highly segmented by drug type and ethnicity.